Illinois Top 50 Prospects Regardless of Class: #1-#5
In September we released our rankings for the classes of 2019, 2020, and 2021. What if you took those classes and did an overall ranking regardless of class? This is what they would look like! This is our Illinois Top 50 Prospects Regardless of Class!
Today we unveil prospects #1 – #5!
#1 Max Christie (Rolling Meadows – 2021)
Last Year’s Rank: NR
Christie is an ultra-smooth 6’5” shooting guard that is just scratching the surface of his immense potential. He continues to grow and could end up becoming a small forward down the line. Big time perimeter shooter that drills shots from all over the floor with a feathery jumper. Smooth ball handler who can get to the rim and is a high IQ player that makes sound decisions with the basketball. Length allows him to defend multiple positions. Shined at USA Basketball against the best prospects in the country.
#2 Adam Miller (Morgan Park – 2020)
Last Year’s Rank: #4
Miller is a jumbo combo guard at 6’4” who transferred to Morgan Park for his sophomore season. As the season went on Miller became the player we all thought he could. Improved his shot making from the perimeter. Size, strength, and athleticism allows him get to as well as finish at the rim. Explosive driver that weaves in and out of defenders in the open floor. Exciting playmaker with the ball in his hands.
#3 EJ Liddell (Belleville West – 2019)
Last Year’s Rank: #5
Liddell was the most dominant force in Illinois high school basketball last season. The 6’7” face up four man won Mr. Basketball as a junior and led his team to a state championship. What you have to like about Liddell as a prospect is his motor, tenacity, and production. He might not have ideal power forward size, but he makes up for it with his athleticism and quickness. Stretches the floor with his shooting, can put it on the deck, and scores in paint. Big time rebounder and shot blocker.
#4 DJ Steward (Whitney Young – 2020)
Last Year’s Rank: #3
Steward is making the move over to Whitney Young this season after spending his first two seasons at Fenwick. The long and angular point guard is a plus shooter both off the catch and connecting from mid-range pulling up. Slick ball handler that has speed in the open floor and gets skinny through traffic to beat his man to the rack. Sound passer that makes quality decisions with the ball. Best basketball is ahead of him.
#5 Brandon Weston (Lake Forest Academy – 2021)
Last Year’s Rank: NR
Weston is a player that not my Illinois hoops fans are familiar with at this stage because he plays at a prep school and runs on the travel team circuit with an east coast squad the NY Rens. Weston has size on the perimeter with explosive athleticism being able to jump equally well off one foot or two at the rim. Gets to the rim with a burst. Range on his shot allows him to score equally well at all three levels. Plus rebounder for a wing and is an underrated passer.